How to Set Margins for 3-Hole Punch Binders
If you print templates and store them in binders, margins matter. Learn practical left margin settings to avoid punching through your writing area.
Binder-friendly printing is one of those details that makes paper templates actually usable long-term.
If you punch holes after printing, the left edge becomes “dead space”. Without enough margin, you’ll punch through your notes.
A practical margin rule
For US Letter with 3-hole punch storage, a safe starting point is:
- Left margin: 1 inch (25.4mm)
- Top/right/bottom margins: 0.5–0.75 inch depending on printer
If you take dense notes, a slightly larger left margin feels better.
How this applies to ruled paper
Many US ruled formats include a margin line around 1 inch from the left edge. If your template includes a margin line, confirm it won’t be lost in the punch area.
Try these as a baseline:
- College ruled: College ruled template
- Wide ruled: Wide ruled template
Printing checklist
- Print at Actual Size / 100%
- Make sure the margin line is visible in the print preview
- Test-punch one page before printing a whole stack
FAQ
What if I use A4 binders?
A4 binder systems vary by region, but the principle is the same: reserve space on the binding edge and keep your content inside the printable area.